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THE  YOUNG  MEN'S 


Christian  Association 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


1857-1888. 


A  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


STEPHEN  B.  WEEKS. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://archive.org/details/historyofyoungmeweek 


A    HISTORY 


OF   THE 


YOUNG   MEN'S 


Christian    Association    Movement 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


1857-1888. 


READ  BEFORE  THE  TWELFTH  ANNUAL  STATE  CONVENTION 

IN  CHARLOTTE,   N.   C,   APRIL  21,    1SS8,   AND  PUBLISHED 

BY  THE    EXECUTIVE   COMMITTEE  AT  THE 

REQUEST  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 


By  STEPHEN  B.  WEEKS,  A.  M., 

Secretary  Executive  Committee    Young  A/en's  Christian  Associations  oj North  Carolina . 

Secretary  North  Carolina  Historical  Society,  and   Corresponding  Member 

of  the   Wisconsin  State  Historical  Society. 


RALEIGH,  N.  C: 
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A    HISTORY 


Young   Men1?  Christian  A^ocMion   Movement 


4- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 
1857-1888. 


Time  in  his  flight  has  numbered  nearly  forty-four  years  with  the 
silent  past  since  George  Williams,  of  Loudon,  inspired  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  first  conceived  the  idea  of  a  union  of  all  men,  regardless  of  de- 
nominational lines,  for  Christian  work,  fellowship  and  sympathy.  In 
the  great  city  of  London,  on  June  6th,  1844,  Williams,  with  one  com- 
panion, knelt  in  a  quiet  room  and  asked  the  blessings  of  God  on  their 
enterprise.  George  Williams  still  lives  to  see  and  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of 
his  labors.  His  work,  like  the  drum-beat  of  his  own  majestic  nation, 
now  keeps  time  with  the  hours,  and  follows  the  sun  in  his  journey 
around  the  earth.  From  England  to  India,  from  Canada  to  Chili,  the 
good  work  has  spread.  The  isles  of  the  Pacific  are  made  to  rejoice, 
and  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  is  now  proclaiming  the 
gospel  of  peace  to  the  millions  of  China. 

THE  Y.  M.  C.  A.  IN  NORTH  CAROLINA,   1857— 1861. 

The  first  organization  in  North  Carolina,  designed  especially  and 
solely  for  the  spiritual  improvement  of  young  men,  was  formed  in  Wil- 
mington, prior  to  October,  1857.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  of  this 
Association  was  W.  M.  Hays.  The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Quarterly  Reporter 
for  April,  1858,  mentions  an  association  at  Wilmington,  with  the  same 
secretary  as  in  1857.  The  Young  Men's  Christian  Journal,  for  March, 
1859,  says:  "An  Association  has  been  in  existence  in  Wilmington,  N. 
C,  since  last  May."  This  would  imply  that  the  first  organization  had 
failed,  but  had  been  revived  again.  The  secretary  of  the  association 
says:  "  Within  the  last  three  or  four  months  we  have  been  adding  to 
our  members,  and  now  have  many  good  working  men  who  feel  a  great 
interest  in  our  efforts  to  do  good.  We  hold  a  prayer-meeting-  every 
Sunday  afternoon  at  some  one  of  the  churches,  and  thus  far  our  meet- 


Note. — I  wish  to  express  here  my  thanks  to  J.  C.  Bowne,  Librarian  of  the  Historical 
Library  of  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Literature,  Springfield,  Mass.,  for  much  valuable  information, 
and  for  courtesies  shown  me. 


4  A    HISTORY    OF    THE    YOUNG    MENS 

ings  have  been  well  attended,  and  much  apparent  interest  manifested 
in  them  by  young  men  who  have  no  hope  in  Christ.  We  have  engaged 
five  very  able  gentlemen  to  deliver  a  lecture  each,  during  the  winter  and 
spring,  one  of  which  has  been  delivered  by  Rev.  John  L.  Girardeau,  of 
Charleston,  S.  C.  Our  Association  is  composed  mostly  of  young  men  who 
were  converted  during  the  glorious  revival  of  last  spring.  We  number 
about  seventy-five.  President,  George  Chadbourn  ;  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary, Wm.  R.  Utley."* 

The  Jo  urn  al  for  August,  1S59,  mentions  the  Association  at  Wilming- 
ton. President,  Avon  E.  Hall  ;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Wm.  R.  Utley. 
In  April,  1S59,  it  is  still  in  existence,  and  under  the  same  control.  We 
find  no  more  mention  of  this  Association  until  1S72. 

Charlotte. — In  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Quarterly  Reporter  for  October,  1857, 
Charlotte  is  mentioned  as  a  new  Association.  John  Henry  Wyat  was 
Corresponding  Secretary.  He  was  acting  in  the  same  capacity  in  Jan- 
uary, 1858.  ^  He  was  serving  in  March,  1S59,  'n  August,  1859,  an'l  in 
April,  iS6o.f  Nothing  further  is  known  of  this  Association  until  it  was 
re-organized  in    1S6S. 

Raleigh. — This  Association  was  organized  mainly  by  Mr.  W.  J.  Young 
and  Mr.  John  Armstrong,  formerly  of  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Young,  the 
Corresponding  Secretary,  writes:!  "We  have  been  thinking  for  years 
that  we  ought  to  have  a  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  in  our  town, 
but  we  have  never  been  able  to  commence  one  until  this  spring.  A  few 
of  us  seeing  and  feeling  the  great  need  of  something  of  the  kind,  de- 
termined to  make  one  more  effort  to  establish  an  Association,  believing 
that  if  we  would  put  our  trust  in  God,  and  ask  His  blessing  and  guidance 
in  humility  and  faith,  He  would  second  our  efforts,  and  we  would  be  in- 
strumental in  saving  many  of  the  young  men  of  Raleigh,  and  advance 
the  Kingdom  of  Christ  on  earth.  Some  of  us  met  on  the  19th  of  March, 
organized  and  elected  our  officers.  For  several  meetings  seven  was  all 
we  could  get,  and  sometimes  not  even  that  number.  But  our  number 
has  increased  to  twenty-six.  Our  meetings  are  very  well  attended.  The 
members  generally  seem  to  be  very  much  interested,  and  are  working 
with  zeal,  and  I  think  with  a  fair  prospect  of  doing  good.  We  have 
devotional  meetings  once  a  week.  Our  regular  business  meetings  are 
held  monthly.  Our  plan  of  operations  will  be  to  visit  the  sick,  admin- 
ister to  the  wants  of  the  needy,  establish  Sunday-schools,  if  necessary 
distribute  tracts,  books,  &c."  Even  at  this  early  date  we  can  seethe 
germ  of  the  doctrine  which  was  to  turn  them  from  their  true  mission,  a 
subordination  of  the  spiritual  to  the  physical  man.  This  work  was  good 
and  praiseworthy  of  its  kind,  but  it  was  too  much  of  a  general  character. 
They  had  not  narrowed  down  to  the  idea  of  vouug  men  for  Christ.     In 


*Y.  M.  C.  Journ.il,  1S5S. 

1  "V.  M.  C.  A.  Quarterly  Reporter,  January.  1858. 

+V.  M.  C.  Journal. 

\\ .  M.  C.  Journal,  August,  1S5S. 


CHRISTIAN     ASSOCIATION    MOVEMENT.  5 

August,  1S59,  the  President  was  H.  P.  McCoy,  the  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary W.  J.  Young.*  In  April,  1S60,  T.  H.  Brame  was  President  and  W. 
J.  Young  Corresponding  Secretary.*  Work  was  carried  on  until  the 
war,  then  there  was  no  Association  until  1867. 

Salisbury. — In  August,  1859,  there  was  an  Association  in  this  town. 
President,  Wm.  Murdoch;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Luke  Blackmer.* 
It  was  still  existing  in  April,  1S60,  with  the  same  officers.* 

Washington. — This  Association  was  organized  in  1859.  "Weekly  prayer- 
meetings  are  held,  and  other  means  of  usefulness  will  soon  be  inaugu- 
rated. President,  Thomas  Sparrow  ;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Prof.  S. 
H.  Wiley."*     It  was  in  existence  in  April,  i860,  with  the  same  officers.* 

University  of  North  Carolina. —During  the  college  year  iS57-'S,  students  in 
the  Universities  of  Michigan  and  Virginia,  without  any  knowledge  of  each 
other's  action,  organized  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations  in  these 
institutions.  One  of  the  most  earnest  advocates  of  the  Virginia  Asso- 
ciation, and  its  first  President  was  the  present  Chairman  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  of  North  Carolina,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hume,  Jr., 
now  Professor  of  the  English  Language  and  Literature  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  North  Carolina.  The  Association  at  Chapel  Hill  was  orga- 
nized in  May,  i860.  Its  Constitution  is  based  on  that  of  the  Virginia 
Association.  The  preamble  reads:  "We,  the  undersigned,  desiring 
to  promote  Christian  sympathy  and  brotherhood,  and  to  advance 
the  moral  and  religious  welfare  of  the  students  of  this  Institution, 
and  of  others  around  us,  and  impressed  with  the  importance  of  united 
effort  in  accomplishing  this  object,  have  formed  an  Association."  The 
object  was  to  be  the  "improvement  of  the  spiritual  condition  of  the 
students,  aud  the  extension  of  religious  advantages  to  destitute  points 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  University." 

They  publish  the  following  card  :f 

We  have  the  pleasure  to  announce  that  the  students  of  the  University  of  North  Caro- 
lina have  established  a  Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

If  parents  and  others  who  send  young  men  to  the  University  will  give  them  letters 
of  introduction  to  us,  it  will  afford  us  pleasure  to  introduce  them  to  the  pious  students 
of  the  University,  aud  also  to  the  pastors  of  the  church  to  which  they  or  their  friends 
may  belong. 

The  Association  hopes  in  this  way  to  accomplish  much  good  ;  for  sad  experience 
has  taught  us  that  many  pious  and  moral  young  men  are  led  astray  by  falling  into  the 
company  of  the  dissipated  and  the  vicious  when  they  enter  college. 

GUILFORD  NICHOLSON, 
A.  HILL  PATTERSON, 
ARCHIBALD   McFADYEN, 

Committee. 
The  membership  was  divided  into  two  classes,  active  and  honorary. 
The  fees  were  one  dollar  per  year.  The  meetings  were  held  on  Sundav 
eveuing.  James  Kelly,  now  a  Presbyterian  minister  in  Bladen  county, 
was  the  first  President,  A.  Hill  Patterson,  of  Milton,  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary.    They  seem  to  have  been  eminently  successful  in   their  work. 


*Y.  M.  C.  Journal. 

tNorth  Carolina  University  Magazine,  June,  i860. 


6  A    HISTORY    OF    THE    YOUNG    MEN'S 

The  list  of  officers  contains  the  names  of  many  of  the  best  students  of 
the  University.  Tut  their  organization  was  doomed  to  a  speedy  death. 
Fort  Sumpter  fell  April  14th,  iS6r.  North  Carolina  severed  her  con- 
nection with  the  Federal  Union  May  20th,  iS6r,  just  as  she,  eighty-six 
years  before  to  a  (lay  and  in  this  very  town  of  Charlotte,  had  thrown 
off  her  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown.  Many  students  left  the  Uni- 
versity to  join  the  Confederate  army.  They  left  the  shades  of  quiet 
and  the  paths  of  peace  to  battle  for  a  cause  they  considered  just.  They 
fought.  They  bled.  They  died.  Thirty-five  members  of  that  Association 
served  as  officers  and  committee-men  during  the  year  of  its  existence. 
Of  this  number,  thirteen — Luther  R.  Bell,  of  Oxford ;  Harrison  P.  Lyon, 
Edgecombe;  Win.  J.  Headen,  Chatham;  Lawson  W.  Sykes,  Aberdeen, 
Miss.;  Win.  T.  and  Edward  A.  T.  Nicholson,  Halifax  ;  James  B.  McCal- 
lum,  Robeson;  John  H.  Dobbin,  Fayetteville ;  Neill  R.  Kelly,  Moore; 
David  H.  Foy  and  George  W.  McMillan,  New  Hanover;  Jesse  H.  Pear- 
son, Franklin,  and  Henry  G  Yv'illiams,  of  Warrentou,  now  fill  soldiers' 
graves,  and  sleep  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking.*  They  did  their  duty 
to  their  country  and  to  their  God.  They  have  entered  into  rest.  May 
their  shining  example  be  emulated  by  future  generations. 

FROM  THE  FIRST  RE-ORGANIZATION  AFTER    THE  RETURN  OF  PEACE  TO 
THE  FIRST  STATE  CONVENTION,   1S67— 1877. 

The  five  long,  dreary  years  of  war  at  last  came  to  an  end.  Few  towns 
of  the  South,  large  or  small,  hai  escaped  the  hand  of  the  invader.  The 
lands  were  lying  uncared  for  and  unfilled.  The  gaunt  wolf  of  famine 
was  standing  by  many  a  door.  To  repel  his  attacks  the  energies  of  the 
whole  people  were  employed,  and  thus  time  passed  on.  The  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  movement  had  been  completely  crushed, 
and  for  two  years  we  hear  of  no  Association  work  in  North  Carolina. 

Raleigh. — This  Association  was  re-organized  about  1867.  For  two  years 
they  continued  their  regular  work  for  young  men.  There  was  much 
suffering  following  in  the  track  of  war.  The  body  was  undenomina- 
tional, and  it  occurred  to  certain  members  that  it  would  be  wise  for  the 
Association  to  undertake  general  charity  work.  For  years  Mr.  John 
Armstrong,  one  of  its  original  founders,  fought  this  idea.  But  other 
opinions  prevailed.  The  poor  of  the  city  became,  during  the  winter, 
the  especial  care  of  the  Association.  Mr.  Weidensall  visited  them  in 
1872.  He  writes  :f  "In  Raleigh,  N.  C,  the  Association  has  become  a 
relief  society,  and  is  doing  a  very  good  work  of  that  kind.  A  meeting 
of  the  Association  was  called  to  listen  to  any  suggestions  that  I  had  to 
offer.  After  addressing  them  for  some  time,  it  was  determined  to  un- 
dertake the  legitimate  work  of  a  Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 
At  the  same  meeting,  Rev.  H.  T.  Hudson  was  selected  as  a  suitable  man 
to  act  as  temporary  Corresponding  Member  for  North   Carolina,  whose 


*Memorial  Tablets  U.  N.  C.     Last  Ninety  Days  of  the  War  in  North  Carolina. 
fYear   Book,  1S72. 


CHRISTIAN"    ASSOCIATION     MOVEMENT.  7 

name  I  sent  to  the  Convention  in  New  York."  They  started  to  retrace 
their  steps  and  to  return  to  their  proper  sphere  of  action.  How  well 
the}- succeeded  can  be  seen  from  their  By-laws:  "The  Committee  for 
the  Relief  of  the  Poor  shall  consist  of  twelve  members,  who  shall  be 
called  Supervisors,  each  one  of  whom  shall  have  control  of  such  a  por- 
tion or  district  of  the  city  as  may  be  set  apart  by  the  Association.  Each 
Supervisor  may  select  at  his  option  an  assistant,  with  the  sanction  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  and  shall  make  a  full  report  in  writing  at  each 
regular  meeting  of  the  Association  of  all  work  performed  during  the 
past  month.  "* 

Thus,  this  Association  had  been  led  away  frcm  its  legitimate  field.  It 
was  considered  a  charitable  institution.  It  was  treated  as  such.  This 
militated  much  against  the  progress  of  the  organization,  narrowed  its 
range,  bound  and  confined  its  efforts  for  good. 

September  7th,  1875,  the  Association  took  possession  of  and  dedicated 
its  new  hall  with  appropriate  exercises.  'J  his  was  the  first  time  the 
Association  had  been  able  to  rent  a  hall  to  be  used  exclusively  for  its 
purposes,  and  the  prospects  were  decidedly  encouraging  then.f  The 
hall  was  kept  open  from  9  A.  M.  to  10  P.  M.  Unfortunately,  this  extra 
and  heavy  expense  brought  the  Association  into  debt. 

From  this  state  of  things  it  is  easy  to  see  that  the  organization  was 
barely  alive.  They  had  left  their  first  love,  and  were  now  suffering  the 
penalty  that  must  always  inevitably  follow. 

Charlotte. — In  1S6S  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  was  re-organized  in  Charlotte.  The 
aim  of  this  body  was  vague  and  indefinite,  and  its  existence  of  short  dura- 
tion. It  was  again  re-organized  in  1874,  with  A.  S.  Caldwell  as  President. 
The  aim  of  the  Association  was  now  definite  and  precise.  It  had  been  fully 
demonstrated  that  young  men  were  its  proper  objects,  and  not  the  gen- 
eral interests  of  the  community  at  large,  except  so  far  as  its  proper 
work  bore  on  the  general  welfare.  Many  costly  and  abortive  experi- 
ments were  undertaken  to  find  out  the  best  ways  of  work,  but  amid  all 
discouragements,  and  in  spite  of  many  failures,  the  end  was  kept 
steadily  in  view'.  The  religious  work  was  the  first  point  of  operation, 
and  it  was  kept  up  with  as  much  vigor  as  could  be  reasonably  expected 
under  the  circumstances,  and  without  doubt  the  permanency  of  the 
association  is  due  to  the  happy  results  of  this  effort.  Messrs.  Hall  and 
McConnoughy,  sent  out  by  the  International  Committee  on  a  mission- 
ary tour  through  the  South,  spent  Thursday,  January  28th,  1876,  with 
the  brethren  of  Charlotte,  making  talks  and  addresses  in  three  different 
churches,  contending  there  was  too  little  enthusiasm  among  Christians, 
and  urged  them  to  greater  activity.  They  proposed  holding  a  State 
Convention.  The  idea  was  not  carried  into  immediate  execution,  but 
their  visit  was  not  without  good  results. 

The  Association  in  Charlotte  owes  much  of  its  present  strength  and 
efficiency  to  Prof.  George  B.  Hanna,  who  by  his  unwearied  and  constant 


♦By-laws  Raleigh  Association,  1S75.  Art.  3,  §4. 
tNew  York  Weekly  Mail,  September  22,  1875. 


8  A    HISTORY    OF   THE    YOUNG    MEN'S 

efforts  has  done  much  to  increase  its  power  for  good — a  man  modest  and 
retiring  in  disposition,  he  does  not  come  forward  to  claim  his  share  of 
honor,  but  in  Charlotte  he  has  borne  the  brunt  of  the  battle. 

Golds boro. — An  Association  was  organized  here  in  April,  1870. r  They 
had  no  rooms,  but  held  prayer-meetings,  Sunday-schools,  &c.  It  was 
of  short  duration. 

'At  Wilmington,  U.  C  ;]  I  found  many  friends  to  the  Association  cause. 
Held  a  meeting,  and  it  was  determined  at  once  to  organize.  I  don't 
know  that  I  ever  had  better  material  in  any  preliminary  meeting.  Since 
that  time  I  learned  that  they  have  perfected  the  organization.  There  is 
also  a  German  Y.  M.  C.  A  ,  connected  with  the  German  Lutheran 
Church,  whose  pastor  is  a  strong  friend  of  our  cause,  and  has  already 
identified  himself  with  the  English  Association  just  organized." 

The  German  Association  was  first  organized  in  1870,  and  existed  until 
1S80.  It  had  over  one  thousand  dollars  in  its  treasury,  which  it 
turned  over  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church  to  assist  in  liquidating  a 
debt  with  which  the  church  was  burdened.  The  officers  were  :  President, 
Henry  Ehrbeck  ;  Vice-President,  Jacob  Duls  ;  Corresponding  Secretary, 
F.  E.  Hashagen  ;  Recording  Secretary,  H.  W.  Strauss;  Treasurer,  H. 
Litgen.  It  had  thirty-seven  members,  and  was  an  active,  vigorous  and 
successful  organization,  and  did  a  noble  work.*  This  Association  was 
more  like  a  Young  Men's  Prayer-meeting,  and  therefore  not  properly  a 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  It  never  connected  itself  with  the 
State  work,  and  was  never  recognized  as  an  Association  in  full  con- 
nection by  the  International  Committee.  It  has  recently  been  re- 
organized. 

The  English  Association  was  short-lived.  It  fell  into  debt  and  became 
insolvent,  one  of  its  members  (James  Spruntj  paying  $400  out  of  his 
private  means  to  redeem  it  from  bankruptcy. 

The  Maxton  Association,  formerly  Shoe  Heel  (Scotch  Quhele),  was 
organized  in  1873,  and  has  been  in  active  operation  ever  since.  It  is  one 
of  our  most  earnest  organizations,  and  showed  its  spirit  last  year  by 
sending  the  only  delegate  from  North  Carolina  to  the  International 
Convention  at  San  Francisco. 

The  Charlotte,  Fayetteville,  Goldsboro,  Wilmington  (English  and 
German)  Associations  did  not  formally  report  at  the  Lowell  Convention 
in  1872. J  Charlotte,  Fayetteville,  Goldsboro,  Raleigh,  and  the  German 
Associations  of  Wilmington  did  not  report  at  the  Poughkeepsie  Conven- 
tion in  1873,**  nor  at  the  Dayton  Convention  in  1 S74. ||  Charlotte,  Fay- 
etteville, and  the  colored  Association  of  Raleigh,  reported  at  Richmond 
in  1875.2 


1lYear  Book,  1S70. 

tMr.  Weidensall  in  Year  Book,  1872. 

*Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  Pastor  Lutheran  Church,  Wilmington,  to  Author. 

tYear  Book,  1S72. 

**Year  Book,  1S73. 

j[ Year  Book,  1S74. 

S-Year  Book,  1875. 


CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATION    MOVEMENT.  9 

In  1S76  nine  associations,  Antioch,  Beaufort,  Charlotte,  Fayetteville, 
Lumber  Bridge,  Philadelphus,  Raleigh,  (colored),  Shoe  Heel  and  St. 
Pauls,  reported  at  Toronto,  and  the  work  seemed  to  be  brightening. 
Wm.  M.  Hunter,  serving  as  Corresponding  Member  of  the  International 
Committee,  writes:*  "There  are  twenty-two  (22)  associations  in  North 
Carolina,  eighteen  in  and  near  Robeson  county,  and  in  Wilmington, 
Raleigh,  Salisbury  and  Charlotte.  The  association  in  Raleigh  is  doing 
much  to  relieve  the  poor.  The  one  in  Charlotte  has  also  a  small  fund 
for  objects  of  charity,  but  is  laying  out  its  strength  in  mission  work, 
tending  now  towards  establishing  permanently  a  day  mission  or  Sab- 
bath-school in  a  destitute  part  of  the  city.  Our  associations  are  scat- 
tered, and  have  not  had  an  opportunity  to  consult  with  other  associa- 
tions, although  an  invitation  was  extended  throughout  the  state  papers 
on  the  arrival  at  Charlotte  of  our  biethren,  Messrs.  Hall  and  McCon- 
noughy,  whose  visit  is  remembered  with  pleasure." 

We  have  seen  that  only  one  college  association  was  organized  previ- 
ous to  the  civil  war,  that  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina.  This  was 
re-organized  September  17,  1876,  with  Arthur  Arrington,  a  member  of 
the  first  State  Executive  committee,  as  its  president.  Since  that  time 
the  association  has  been  engaged  in  regular  work.  Bingham  School 
organized  its  association  for  the  first  time  in  1867. 

Such  was  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  North  Carolina  up  to  the  first  Convention. 
The  associations  were  few  and  widely  separated.  Few  persons  knew 
anything  of  the  work,  and  still  fewer  were  interested  in  it.  The  asso- 
ciations had  had  no  communication  with  one  another.  The}'  had  no 
opportunity  to  learn  of  improvements  and  proper  methods,  or  to  get  out  of 
and  away  from  fogyish  and  narrow  ideas.  They  needed  to  meet  each 
other.  We  have  seen  that  many  association  sprang  up  and  died.  This 
is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  general  public  had  not  been  aroused  to  the 
importance  of  this  means  of  Christian  growth.  They  had  not  considered 
the  souls  of  young  men,  the  bone  and  sinew7  of  every  land,  of  enough 
importance.  The  association  must  needs  pass  through  a  probationary 
stage.  That  stage  is  now  fortunately  passed.  The  star  is  now  in  the 
ascendant. 

FROM  THE  FIRST  STATE  CONVENTION  TO  THE  TENTH,  1877— 1S86. 

In  March,  1877,  at  the  instance  of  the  International  Committee,  and 
on  the  advice  of  Mr.  A.  S.  Caldwell,  the  association  of  Charlotte 
sent  out  a  call  for  a  State  Convention  to  be  held  in  that  city.  The  Con- 
vention met  March  30th.  Four  visiting  delegates,  representing  perhaps 
two  hundred  members,  were  present- Arthur  Arrington  and  John  H.  Dixon 
University  of  N.  C. ;  A.  D.  Jenkins,  Raleigh  ;  R.  A.  Yoder,  N.  C.  College. 
Messrs.  Hall  and  Cree  represented  the  International  Committee.  Much 
interest  was  taken  in  the  work.  A  State  Executive  Committee  was  ap- 
pointed. The  committee  issued  a  circular,  addressed  to  all  the  associations 


*Year  Book,  1876. 


IO  A    HISTORY    OF    THE    YOUNG    MEN'S 

in  the  state,  and  proposed  to  enter  vigorously  into  the  work.  The  asso- 
ciations were  far  apart  and  it  was  difficult  to  bring  them  close 
together.  Eor  three  years  this  committee  labored  for  the  most  part 
on  their  own  responsibility,  and  gave  much  time  and  earnest  thought 
to  the  welfare  of  the  state  work,  to  the  establishment  of  new  associa- 
tions, to  the  encouragement  and  strengthening  of  the  old.  No  money 
was  provided  to  pay  any  expenses  of  this  committee,  so  that  their  sphere 
of  usefulness  was  very  much  narrowed.  They  did  good  work,  however, 
and  this  was  the  beginning  of  a  brighter  era.  Four  associations,  with 
two  hundred  and  thirty-seven  members,  are  reported  in  the  Year  Book 
for  1877. 

1878.  The  second  Convention  was  held  in  Greensboro:  "There 
has  been  a  more  marked  growth  during  the  year  in  North  Carolina  than 
in  any  other  state  visited.  Last  year  the  first  State  Convention — a  very 
small  one — was  held,  and  a  State  Executive  Committee  appointed.  At 
that  time  there  were  but  five  associations,  little  was  known  of  the  work, 
and  few  wrere  interested  in  it.  The  State  Committee  have  worked  heartily, 
and  as  a  result  the  associations  now  number  fourteen  active  organiza- 
tions. The  second  State  Convention,  at  Greensboro,  was  attended  by 
forty  members,  and  was  a  decided  success.  Points  visited :  Charlotte, 
Statesville,  Salisbury,  Greensboro,  Raleigh  and  Durham.""'  In  May, 
before  the  Convention,  Mr.  Cree  began  his  labors  in  North  Carolina  as 
State  Secretary,  at  Charlotte.  He  rendered  much  aid  to  the  association 
in  that  city,  in  Statesville,  Greensboro  and  Raleigh.  He  also  helped  to 
establish  an  association  in  Salisbury,  and  another  in  Durham. 1  Twenty- 
two  associations  are  reported  in  the  Year  Book,  four  having  a  member- 
ship of  one  hundred  and  sixty. 

1879.  Convention  met  in  Salisbury.  Nineteen  associations  and 
churches  were  represented  by  forty-five  delegates.  E.  W.  Watkius,  of 
the  International  Committee,  w7as  present.  "The  increased  interest 
taken  in  the  young  men  for  the  last  two  years  is  very  gratifying.  Now 
we  have  eighteen  or  twenty  associations,  with  five  or  six  hundred  mem- 
bers. The  influence  of  the  second  Convention  has  been  felt  wherever 
there  is  an  association.  During  the  past  year  few  new  associations  have 
been  formed,  but  the  increased  efficiency  of  the  old  has  been  marked. 
The  Executive  Committee  has  recently  laid  off  four  districts,  and  ap- 
pointed District  Committees,  "f  Sixteen  associations  reported  at  the 
Baltimore  Convention,  with  six  hundred  and  sixty-five  members. 

1880.  Convention  met  in  Raleigh.  Unfortunately  the  Raleigh  breth- 
ren had  changed  the  nature  of  their  work  from  Christian  to  charitable. 
They  were  known  as  nothing  else.  They  had  left  the  care  of  men's  souls, 
and  had  begun  the  care  of  their  bodies  instead.  "The  Convention  prom- 
ises to  be  one  of  unusual  interest,  and  it  is  hoped  that  our  citizens  will 


*T.  K.  Cree,  Year  Book,  1878. 
HGeo.  B.  Haiina,  Year  Book,  1S78. 
fThomas  M.  Pittman,  Year  Book,  1879. 


CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATION    MOVEMENT.  II 

do  all  they  can  to  aid  these  charitable  workers,  who  meet  to  consult  about 
the  best  interests  of  the  young  men  of  our  State."*;  E.  W.  Watkins  rep- 
resented the  International  Committee.  Thirty-three  delegates  present ; 
eight  associations  reported.  "  The  state  work  is  not  as  satisfactory  now 
as  at  the  time  of  our  last  report.  The  Salisbury  Convention  was  well 
attended,  and  proved  profitable  to  those  present.  Some  new  associa- 
tions have  been  formed,  principally  in  small  villages  and  country  places. 
An  upward  tendency  is  noticeable  in  several  places,  more  marked,  prob- 
ably, in  Charlotte.  There  the  hall  has  been  newly  painted  and  furnished, 
while  a  reading  room  and  library  is  kept  open  at  evening.  The  work  at 
the  state  capital  is  assuming  a  more  encouraging  aspect,  and  a  number 
of  smaller  places  are  displaying  considerable  activity.  We  have  about 
twenty-five  associations,  and  hope  for  good  results  from  the  coming 
Raleigh  Convention. "f  Twenty-nine  associations  are  reported  in  the 
Year  Book,  thirteen  having  five  hundred  and  sixty-six  members. 

1881.  Convention  held  in  Statesville  ;  thirty  delegates  present,  rep- 
resenting thirteen  associations;  eleven  more  were  represented  by  letter. 
E.  W.  Watkins,  of  the  International  Committee,  was  in  attendance.  He 
worked  faithfully  and  well.  This  year  twenty  associations  are  reported 
in  the  Year  Book,  with  a  total  membership  of  seven  hundred  and  seventy- 
one  active  and  associate. 

1882.  Convention  held  in  Shelby.  This  year  the  minutes  of  the 
Convention  were  printed  in  pamphlet  form  for  the  first  time.  Thirty- 
three  delegates,  including  two  colored  members,  and  representing  eleven 
associations,  were  present.  From  the  report  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee for  the  year  then  closing,  we  learn  that  measures  had  been  taken 
to  district  the  state ;  that  the  members  of  the  committee  had  pledged 
themselves  to  make  individual  efforts  towards  organizing  colored  young 
men,  and  that  they  had  made  efforts  to  put  a  General  Secretary  in  the 
field.  To  accomplish  this,  it  was  necessary  to  raise  money  by  subscrip- 
tion. Appeals  were  sent  to  all  associations,  with  the  following  result : 
Davidson  College,  $5.00;  University  of  North  Carolina,  #5. 00 ;  Bingham 
School,  $10.00;  Statesville,  $S.oo;  Shelby,  $5.00;  Prof.  Hanna,  $5.00;  total, 
$38.00.  As  this  was  not  enough  to  get  a  General  Secretary  into  the  field, 
the  plan  was  abandoned.  The  committee  to  consider  the  report  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  recommended  that  "The  Executive  Committee  be  in- 
structed to  allot  each  two  members  of  its  body  a  portion  of  territory  for 
district  work,  and  that  they  be  held  responsible  for  the  advancement  of 
the  work  in  that  territory,  and  report  at  the  next  annual  Convention  the 
progress  of  that  work.  We  believe  by  so  doing  the  cause  of  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  can  be  carried  on  with  but  little  demand  for  financial  aid,  which 
has  so  crippled  our  efforts  in  the  past.  We  further  recommend  that  the 
Executive  Committee  make  special  efforts  in  this  district  work  to  en- 
courage and  persuade  the  colored  young  men  to  organize  themselves 

^Raleigh  Observer,  June  i6,  1880. 

fThomas  M.  Pittman,  in  Year  Book  for  1880. 


12  A    HISTORY    OF    THE    YOUNG    MEN'S 

into  Associations,  and  work  with  us  in  the  glorious  cause.  We  recom- 
mend that  the  Executive  Committee  place  a  General  Secretary  in  the 
field,  if  for  only  one  month,  provided  the  means  for  doing  so  can  possi- 
bly be  obtained."-  That  night  a  collection  was  made  to  defray  cost  of 
printing  minutes.  Thirteen  dollars  and  thirty-five  cents  was  contributed, 
not  a  cent  having  been  raised  towards  the  salary  of  a  General  Secretary. 
The  Convention  now  puts  on  its  committee  work  requiring  both  time 
and  money,  and  provides  neither.  The  work  was  necessarily  a  failure. 
It  will  always  be,  except  among  philanthropists. 

1883.  Convention  met  in  Hickory  ;  thirty-one  delegates  present,  rep- 
resenting seventeen  associations,  also  T.  A.  Harding,  of  Washington  City, 
representing  the  International  Committee,  and  Rev.  D.  H.  Tuttle,  of 
Vanderbilt  University.  The  verbal  reports  from  associations  were 
very  encouraging,  and  manifested  much  zeal  for  the  spiritual  welfare 
of  young  men.  The  Executive  Committee  reported  that  seven  new 
associations  had  been  organized  during  the  year  ;  that  they  had  collected 
$49.10,  and  paid  out  $37.63.  "No  effort  has  been  made  to  put  a  Gen- 
eral Secretary  in  the  field.  The  committee  have  not  succeeded  in  car- 
rying'out  their  plan  of  districting  the  state.  The  heartiest  co-operation 
of  local  associations  is  needed  for  such  an  undertaking.  There  is 
promise  of  a  District  Organization  being  formed,  with  its  centre  at 
Hickory,  and  another  at  Dallas.  In  some  sections  successful  work  seems 
to  have  been  done  in  behalf  of  the  colored  people."!  The  committee 
further  recommended  that  all  associations  put  themselves  in  corres- 
pcndence  with  the  Executive  Committee,  by  this  means  accomplishing 
more  efficient  work.  It  was  resolved  that  the  committee  solicit  from 
town  associations  $5.03  for  work  and  expenses  of  committee,  and  $2.03 
from  country  ;  for  salary  of  General  Secretary,  $10.00  from  town,  and 
$5.0 j  from  country.  A  collection  of  $n.6i  was  made  at  the  Convention 
for  the  Executive  Committee.  A  list  of  forty-eight  associations  in 
North  Carolina  is  given  in  an  appendix,  eighteen  of  them  having  a 
membership  of  six  hundred  and  twelve. 

1884.  Convention  met  in  Greensboro.  The  weather  was  exceedingly 
warm.  A  contest  for  President,  and  for  all  the  state  officers,  was  going 
on.  These,  with  other  things,  made  a  very  small  meeting.  Six  dele- 
gates only  were  present,  together  with  H.  M.  Clarke  and  M.  Dickie,  of 
Richmond,  and  E.  W.  Watkins,  of  New  York.  The  Convention  was 
turned  into  an  informal  conference  of  Y.  M.  C.  A.  workers.  A  collec- 
tion of  $8.09  was  made  for  the  International  Committee.  The  Year  Book 
for  1884  gives  reports  from  sixteen  associations,  with  a  membership  of 
three  hundred  and  eighty-seven. 

1885.  Convention  met  in  Asheville.  It  was  gotten  up  hurriedly, 
and  was  more  of  a  gathering  of  local  associations  than  of  the  state 
organization.     Very  little  seems   to  have  been    done.      A   new  Exccu- 


*Minutes,  1SS2. 
fMimites,  18S3. 


CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATION    MOVEMENT.  1 3 

tive  Committee  was  appointed.  This  committee  "  did  nothing  to 
extend  the  work  during  the  year.  Nothing  was  given  them  to  do- 
They  had  no  money,  and  could  do  nothing.  Twelve  dollars  in  all  was 
expended.!"  During  this  year  twenty -three  associations  reported  eight 
hundred  and  eighty-six  members  to  the  International  Committee. 

From  these  reports  it  is  easy  to  see  that  this  work  in  North  Caro- 
oliua  has  had  many  ups  and  downs  of  fortune.  There  are  few  large 
cities  in  the  state  ;  most  of  the  associations  are  in  small  towns  and  vil- 
lages. They  are  organized,  and  start  off  with  a  promise  of  continuance. 
There  is  perhaps  one  leading  spirit  that  controls  and  directs  the  whole. 
This  person  moves  away,  gets  absorbed  in  business,  or  grows  indifferent, 
and  the  work  for  Christ  begins  to  lag  and  to  decay.  We  need  more 
workers  of  earnest,  consecrated  lives.  Then  our  work  will  flourish. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  serious  drawbacks  of  college  associations. 
There  the  membership  is  constantly  changing.  As  soon  as  a  fellow 
learns  something  of  the  work,  he  must  go,  and  the  freshman  takes  his 
place.  It  will  be  noticed  that  up  to  this  time  very  little  has  been  said 
about  money  in  the  Conventions.  The  Executive  Committee  was  first 
appointed  in  1077.  F°r  three  years,  at  least,  the  committee  had  no  treas- 
urer. It  seems  that  no  more  than  $83.00  was  put  into  their  hands 
from  their  first  organization  up  to  10S0.  Without  arms  it  is  impossible 
to  wage  a  successful  warfare  ;  without  money  it  was  soon  found  impos- 
sible for  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations  of  North  Carolina  to 
carry  on  any  successful  campaign  against  the  Kingdom  of  Satan.  The 
Executive  Committee  did  as  much  as  could  be  expected  of  them  under 
the  circumstances  ;  but  there  seems  to  have  been  very  little  effort  made 
to  raise  money  at  any  Convention.  The  golden  moment  was  allowed  to 
pass  unheeded  by.  Men  will  always  give  more  freely  when  there  is  a 
spirit  of  generous  rivalry  urging  them  on.  It  was  thought  best  to  write 
to  the  different  organizations,  so  they  could  discuss  the  proposition  at 
their  leisure.  The  result  we  have  seen  already.  In  regard  to  this  point, 
the  Executive  Committee  and  the  leaders  of  the  Conventions  were  at  fault. 
This  feature  was  not  discussed  warmly  enough,  nor  urged  sufficiently 
well. 

FROM  THE  TENTH  TO  THE  TWELFTH  CONVENTION. 

March  11th,  1888,  the  tenth  Convention  met  at  Chapel  Hill  with  the 
University  Association.  Messrs.  Watkins  and  Wishard,  of  the  Inter- 
national Committee,  and  forty-four  delegates,  representing  eight  asso- 
ciations and  three  places  without  definite  organization,  were  in  attend- 
ance. The  question  of  State  work  was  taken  up  with  energy  by  E.  W. 
Watkins  ;  $170.00  was  pledged  by  associations  and  550.00  by  individuals. 
On  Sunday  night  a  collection  amounting  to  $27.00  was  made.  This  was 
the  first  sign  of  active  life  in  the  state  organization  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Associations  of  North  Carolina.  A  new  Executive  Committee 
was  appointed,  with  headquarters  at  Chapel  Hill.  The  report  of  the 
Treasurer,  for  the  year  ending  April    1st,  1SS7,  showed  that  $2^0. 45  had 


tMiuutes,  1SS6. 


14  A    HISTORY    OF    THE    YOUNG    MEN'S 

been  collected  for  all  purposes,  and  $209  4  >  expended.  This  committee 
employed  Mr.  H.  O.  Williams  to  visit  the  State  during  the  month  of 
March,  1887.  He  did  good  and  telling  work  at  Charlotte,  Davidson  Col- 
lege, University  of  North  Carolina,  Salisbury  and  Raleigh.  The  associ- 
ations were  revived,  freshened  and  strengthened,  and  they  went  to  the 
Raleigh  Convention  with  the  fixed  determination  to  do  more  for  the 
Master's  cause,  and  as  a  result,  $359.00  was  pledged  for  the  State  work, 
against  $220.00  for  the  previous  year.  The  headquarters  of  the  Executive 
Committee  continued  at  Chapel  Hill.  The  fruit  of  their  labors  is  before 
our  eyes  to-day.  The  state  work  is  thoroughly  organized  :  one  associ- 
ation has  a  building  of  its  own,  four  others  have  building  funds,  two 
employ  General  Secretaries,  and  a  third  has  provided  means  for  this 
purpose.  There  is  more  earnestness,  more  activity,  more  work,  more 
success,  more  of  Christ  in  our  hearts,  than  ever  before.  To  one  man 
more  than  to  all  others  belongs  the  glory  of  this  success.  He,  by  his 
untiring  efforts,  by  his  unflagging  zeal,  has  brought  about  this  happy 
result.  That  man  is  the  present  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee, 
Thomas  Hume,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  English  in  the  University  of  North 
Carolina. 

GENERAL  AND  STATE  SECRETARIES  IN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

The  first  native  North  Carolinian  to  devote  himself  to  the  wcrk  of  the 
Yonng  Men's  Christian  Association,  and  enter  the  field  as  a  Secretary, 
was  Eugene  Lewis  Harris.  He  is  a  descendant  on  his  mother's  side 
from  Edward,  the  brother  of  Oliver  Cromwell.  Edward  migrated  to  the 
United  States  about  1660.  While  on  the  ocean  he  changed  his  name 
from  Cromwell  to  Crowell,  and  under  this  title  the  family  has  since  been 
known.  Mr.  Harris  was  born  at  Sassafras  Fork,  in  Granville  county,  N. 
C. ,  March  12th,  1856.  He  was  graduated  at  the  University  of  North 
Carolina  in  1881,  and  at  Cooper  Institute,  New  York  City,  in  1S82.  He 
at  once  established  himself  in  Raleigh  as  an  artist.  He  followed  this 
profession  until  elected  General  Secretary  of  the  Raleigh  association, 
April  4th,  1887.  An  earnest,  simple,  devoted  Christian,  his  work  has 
been  eminently  successful. 

A.  M.  Ingham  was  employed  as  General  Secretary  by  the  Charlotte 
association  in  March,  1887,  for  six  months.  He  is  a  native  of  Brattle- 
boro,  Vermont. 

Of  our  State  Secretaries,  Mr.  H.  O.  Williams,  now  Secretary  of  Vir- 
ginia, is  a  native  of  Watertown,  New  York,  Mr.  T.  A.  Harding  is  from 
Washington,  D.  C,  Mr.  Claus  Olandt,  a  German- American,  and  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  German  branch  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  is  from 
New  York. 

PUBLICATIONS. 

In  November,  1886,  Mr.  Eugene  L.  Harris  issued  the  first  number  of 
the  Monthly  Bulletin,  at  Raleigh,  7x10,  four  pages.  It  is  very  valuable 
as  an  aid  to  local  work.  February,  1888,  the  name  was  changed  to  Our 
Young  Men,  and  the  publication  went  on   as  usual.     September,  1887, 


CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATION    MOVEMENT.  1 5 

the  first  number  of  The  Record  was  issued  at  Charlotte,  7x11,  eight 
pages,  monthly,  and  is  under  the  editorial  management  of  A.  S.  Cald- 
well, J.  H.  Tolar,  George  B.  Hanna  and  G.  T.  Raymond.  At  the  Eleventh 
Annual  Convention  the  Christian  Voice,  published  at  Norfolk,  Va.,  by 
R.  E.  Turner,  was  adopted  as  the  official  organ  of  the  State  Associations. 
The  Journal  of  the  Convention  was  printed  for  the  first  time  in  1882; 
the  one  for  1883  was  printed,  and  also  those  for  1886  and  1887. 

LIBRARIES. 

Books  give 
New  views  to  life  and  teach  us  how  to  live  ; 
They,  soothe  the  grieved,  the  stubborn  they  chastise, 
Fools  they  admonish,  and  confirm  the  wise. 

Unfortunately,  too  little  attention  has  been  paid  to  this  subject  in 
North  Carolina.  The  public  library  at  Raleigh,  founded  in  1831,  has 
not  more  than  45,000  volumes.  The  University  and  its  Literary  Socie- 
ties have  only  20,000.  The  teachings  of  some  of  our  public  men  have 
been  of  too  much  influence.  They  taught  that  books  were  idle  capital, 
a  useless,  and  therefore  a  valueless  investment.  This  is  not  true.  They 
are  better  than  friends ;  they  instruct,  and  cannot  get  angry  when 
thrown  aside.  They  laugh  and  cry.  They  love  and  hate.  They  speak 
to  us,  and  suit  themselves  to  every  freak  of  fancy.  Give  me  good  books, 
and  the  world  may  go,  for  I  can  then  commune  with  the  best  minds 
of  every  age.  The  first  Y.  M.  C.  A.  library  wras  founded  in  Boston,  in 
1S51.  It  now  contains  3,500  volumes.  The  largest  is  that  of  the  New 
York  City  association r with  34,362  volumes.  To  Charlotte  belongs  the 
honor  of  inaugurating  this  happy  movement  in  North  Carolina.  Their 
library  was  founded  in  1S75.  The  work  progressed  but  slowly.  The 
associations  were  poor  ;  few  people  had  many  books,  and  still  fewer 
had  learned  the  art  of  giving.  The  following  tables,  taken  from  the 
Year  Book,  show  the  condition  of  our  libraries  for  each  year  since  1876: 

VOLUMES.  VALUE. 

1876.  Charlotte 138  $6900 

Philadelphus 55  3000 

1877.  Charlotte 123  100  00 

Philadelphus 56  50  00 

Raleigh 123  100  00 

1878.  Philadelphus 56  5000 

1879.  Charlotte 300  200  00 

Greensboro 450  20000 

Philadelphus 50  5000 

Winston 373  18600 

1880.  Charlotte 234  25000 

Greensboro 300  250  00 

Winston 300  75  00 

1881.  Charlotte 609  70000 

Greensboro 300  250  00 

Salisbury 300  20000 


i6 


A    HISTORY    OF    THE    YOUNG    MEN'S 


VOLUMES. 

1882.  Charlotte 1,000 

Greensboro —  300 

Hickory 80 

Salisbury 300 

1883.  Charlotte 600 

Shelby 30 

Statesville 250 

1884.  Charlotte 532 

Salisbury 300 

Statesville 240 

1885.  Charlotte 721 

Mount  Zion 50 

1686.     Charlotte 847 

New  Berne    12 

Shoe  Heel 20 

Statesville 200 

1887.     Charlotte 600 

New  Berne 200 

Raleigh 300 

The  condition  of  our  libraries  on  April  1st,  1888, 
lowing  table : 


VALUE 

;6oo 

00 

153 

00 

90 

00 

150 

OO 

400 

OO 

IOO 

OO 

60 

OO 

300 

OO 

IOO 

OO 

IOO 

OO 

375 

00 

50 

OO 

500 

00 

12 

OO 

15 

OO 

450 

OO 

175 

OO 

300 

OO 

is  shown  by  the  fol- 


ASSOCIATIONS. 


•o  :   ~  ,3 


Bingham  School  - 

Charlotte 

Davidson  College 

Fayetteville 

Henderson 

Laurinburg 

Maxton     

New  Berne 

Raleigh 

Reidsville 

Salisbury 

Statesville 

Trinity  College^  . 


1,9231500  00 
225:200  00 


325:200  OO 

IOO  IOO   OO 


150 
340 

50 


300  OO 

500  00 

75  00 


200  300  00 


g 


1875 
1879 


K     <D 

pi   n) 


3   be 


tcX 


h  Ph     .S 


$75  oo 


1888 
1887 


1885 
1886 
1887 


1883 


3,313'!  2,175  — 
Such  has  been   our  work  in  North   Carolina. 


40  OO 


yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 

yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 


yes 


12 
25 

6 
5 

20 
35 


50 


540  ool$75  00      io1 

We  have  done  some- 


thing ;  much  we  have  left  undone.  The  work  has  at  last  been  thoroughly 
organized.  The  people  of  the  State  are  waking  up  to  its  importance. 
They  are  giving  to  its  support.  The  prospect  is  brightening.  Our  motto 
must  be  :  "The  Young  Men  of  North  Carolina  for  Christ,  and  Christ 
fm-  tVip  Vounc  Men  of  North  Carolina." 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEES 
OF   THE 

Young  Men's  Christian  Associations 

OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


I.     APPOINTED    IN   CHARLOTTE,    1877,  FOR  YEAR   l877-'78,  HEADQUARTERS, 

CHARLOTTE. 

Isaac  H.  Poust,  Chairman Charlotte. 

Thomas  M.  PiTTman,  Secretary Charlotte. 

G.  T  Coleman   ... Charlotte. 

Arthur  Arrington Chapel  Hill. 

R.  A.  Yoder Mount  Pleasant. 

John  Armstrong Raleigh. 

Alexander  Sprunt Wilmington. 

II.     i878-'79,  HEADQUARTERS,    CHARLOTTE. 

Isaac  H.   Foust,  Chairman Charlotte. 

Thomas  M.  Pittman,  Secretary Charlotte. 

G.  T  Coleman Charlotte. 

Arthur  Arrington Chapel  Hill. 

R.  A.  Yoder Mount  Pleasant. 

John  Armstrong Raleigh. 

Alexander  Sprunt Wilmington. 

III.     i879-'8o,  HEADQUARTERS,  CHARLOTTE. 

Isaac  H.  Foust,  Chairman 1 Charlotte. 

Thomas  M.  Pittman,  Secretary Charlotte. 

G.  T  Coleman Charlotte. 

Arthur  Arrington Chapel  Hill. 

R.  A.  Yoder Mount  Pleasant. 

John  Armstrong Raleigh. 

Alexander  Sprunt Wilmington. 

George  B.  Hanna __. Charlotte. 

IV.     i8So-'Si,  HEADQUARTERS,  GREENSBORO. 

W.  K.   Eldridge,  Chairman Greensboro. 

T.  J.  Daily,  Treasurer Reidsville. 

C.  D.  Yates Greensboro. 

Thomas  P.  Johnston Salisbury. 

J.  G.   Hall Hickory. 

R.  C.  Davis Charlotte. 

J.  D.  Franklin Winston. 

W.  S.  Primrose Raleigh. 


1 8  A    HISTORY    OF    THE    YOUNG    MEN'S 

V.     l88i-'82,  HEADQUARTERS,  STATESVILLE. 

W.  G.  Lewis,  Chairman Statesville. 

C.  D.  Yates,  Secretary Greensboro. 

J.  A.  Ramsey,  Treasurer _.  .Salisbury. 

J.  G.   Hale Hickory. 

R.  H.  McCracken  .- Shelby. 

I.  H.  Foust Charlotte. 

W.  S.  Primrose Raleigh. 

G.   R.   McNeile Wood  Leaf. 

A.  M.  Witherspoon,  of  Statesville,  was  for  awhile  acting  Secretary  of 
this  Committee. 

VI.     i882-'83,  HEADQUARTERS,  HICKORY. 

J.  G.  HALL,  Chairman Hickory. 

D.  H.  TuTTLE,  Secretary Hickory. 

W.  G.  Lewis,  Treasurer-.- . Statesville. 

Thomas  M.  Pittman  - Charlotte. 

R.  H.  McCracken Shelby. 

Edwin  Shaver--   Salisbury. 

W.  F.  Tomlinson r Hickory. 

T.  P.  Johnston Salisbury. 

I.  H.  FouST Charlotte. 

E.  W.  Ward -. Morganton. 

R.  M.  Davis Salisbury. 

J.  B.  Gill Statesville. 

VII.  i883-'84,  HEADQUARTERS,  SALISBURY. 

Thos.  P.  Johnston,   Chairman Salisbury. 

A.M.  Wtitherspoon,  Secretary Statesville. 

Edwin  Shaver,  Treasurer .-.Salisbury. 

R.  H.  McCracken Hickory. 

R.    M.  Davis Salisbury. 

I.  H.  FOUST Salisbury. 

E.  W.  Ward Morganton. 

J.  B.  Gill Statesville. 

J.  G.  HALL Hickory. 

W.  W.  Carroll Hickory. 

W.  F.  Tomlinson Hickory. 

Thos.  M.  Pittman Charlotte. 

VIII.  i884-'85,  HEADQUARTERS,  SALISBURY. 

Thos.  P.  Johnston,  Chairman Salisbury. 

A.  M.  Witherspoon,  Secretary Statesville. 

R.  M.  Davis Salisbury. 

I.  H.   FouST -. ..Salisbury. 

E.  W.  Ward  ._-   ' Morganton. 

J.  B.  GiLL ...Statesville. 

J.  G.  Hall Hickory. 


CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATION    MOVEMENT.  1 9 

W.  W.  Carroll Hickory. 

W.  F.  Tomlinson Hickory. 

Thos.  M.  PitTman Charlotte. 

IX.     i885-'86,  HEADQUARTERS,  ASHEVILLE. 

C.  E.  Graham,  Chairman Ashevill-e. 

A.  J.  Dodamead,  Secretary Asheville. 

R.  U.  Garrett,  Treasurer Asheville. 

J.  J.  Mackey Asheville. 

Thos.  P.  Johnstox Salisbury. 

Edwin  Shaver Salisbury. 

R.  M.    Davis Salisbury. 

E.  W.  Ward Morgautou. 

A.  M.  Witherspoon Statesville. 

J.  G.  Hall Hickory. 

R.  H.  McCrackex '- Hickory. 

G.  M.  Smithdeal Greensboro. 

C.  S.  HolTox Charlotte. 

X.     iS86-'S7,  HEADQUARTERS,  CHAPEL  HILL. 

Prof.  Thos.  Hume,  Jr.,  D.  D.,  Chairman Chapel  Hill. 

Prof.  J.  W.  GORE,  Secretary Chapel  Hill. 

Stephen  B.  Weeks,  Treasurer Chapel  Hill. 

Haywood  Parker Chapel  Hill. 

Major  Robert  Bixgham Bingham  School. 

G.  M.  Smithdeal Greensboro. 

Geo.  B.  Hanna Charlotte. 

James  H.  Southgate Durham. 

W.  W.  Barnard Asheville. 

Prof.  W.  J.  Bingham Davidson  College. 

Edwin  Shaver Salisbury. 

Eugene  L.  Harris Raleigh. 

XL     i887-'88,  HEADQUARTERS,  CHAPEL  HILL. 

Prof.  Thos.  Hume,  Jr.,  D.  D.,  Chairman Chapel  Hill. 

Stephen  B.  Weeks,   Secretary ___Chapel  Hill. 

Eugene  L.  Harris,  Treasurer Raleigh. 

Prof.  J.  W.  Gore Chapel  Hill. 

Geo.  B.  Hanna    Charlotte. 

Prof.  W.J.  Bingham*    Davidson  College. 

James  H.  Southgate Durham. 

Major  Robert  Bingham Bingham  School. 

A.  G.  Brenizer Charlotte. 

A.  M.  Baker New  Berne. 

I.  H.   Foust Salisbury. 

A.  S.  Caldwell Charlotte. 

*Prof.  Bingham  died  January  24th,  iSSS,  and  Prof.  Henry  Louis  Smith,  of  Davidson 
College,  was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy. 


A    HISTORY    OF    THE    Y.     M.    C.    A.     MOVEMENT.  20 

XII.     1SSR-S9,  HEADQUARTERS,  CHAPEL  HILL. 

Prof.  Thos.  Hume,  D.  D.,  Chairman Chapel  Hill. 

Stephen  B.  Weeks,*  Secretary Chapel  Hill. 

Walter  M.  Curtis,  Assistant  Secretary Chapel  Hill. 

Eugene  D.  Harris,  Treasurer Raleigh. 

Geo.  B.  Hanna Charlotte. 

James  H.  SouTHGATE Durham. 

Major  Robert  Bingham ... Bingham  School. 

A.  G.  Brenizer Charlotte. 

A.  M.  Baker New  Berne. 

I.  H.   FousT Salisbury. 

A.S.Caldwell Charlotte. 

Prof.  H.  L.  Smith Davidson  College. 

P.  B.  Manning : Wilmington. 


*At  the  special  request  of  the  Committee,  Mr.  Weeks  will  continue  to  act  as  Secretar3' 
so  lonsr  as  he  remains  in  the  State, — until  October. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00034003248 

FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


